My Fundraising Page

My desire to run a marathon began during my last trimester of pregnancy with Katelyn in the summer of 2008. My OB-GYN was suggesting (not so subtlety) that I should work-out 4 or 5 times a week. He told me that labor is “like a marathon” and I need to “train for it”. I had abruptly stopped working out as soon as all-day sickness began in my first trimester and hadn’t set foot in the gym since then. I preferred sitting on the couch and giving into my pregnancy cravings over working up a sweat. But, being the good little patient I was, I dragged my big belly to the gym and worked out 4 or 5 times a week on the elliptical. My doctor was probably relieved that I was no longer gaining 5 pounds each week. :)

While ellipticalling away (is that a word?), I watched the runners in the row of treadmills in front of me. I really hadn’t had much of a desire to run since college but all of a sudden I became very envious of these fast, fit runners I was being forced to watch. Knowing that I physically could not run made the desire to run again very strong. I decided that as soon as my baby was born, I would start running.

It took 6 long months before I was able to run after Katelyn was born (post-partum recovery took me much longer than I had expected). But as soon as I felt fine, I started running 2 or 3 miles on the treadmill and slowly increased my pace each week. Jon and I ran the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure 5K that June, 2009 and had a blast running together.

Then in early July, I realized I was pregnant, again! The all-day sickness came back and I immediately stopped running. It took all the energy I had just to make it through the day taking care of a baby. Over the next 8 months, I gained 57 pounds (yes, I know, way too much :). After Nathan was born I was very excited to start running again and start losing the baby weight. It seemed so much harder the second time around and I had also gained so much more weight! Jon and I registered for the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in June, 2011 and that gave us the incentive to train during the spring. We ran a few 5Ks and 10Ks in the months leading up to the half marathon to help us prepare for the longer race.

During my long Saturday morning runs, I would often run past a big group of people wearing white and purple. They seemed so happy and I could just sense their excitement and enthusiasm. I wondered who these people were and how I could join this fun group! I learned that these people were with Team In Training and they were all running for a much bigger cause – to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I wanted to run and fundraise with this team and have a bigger purpose for my running than just getting back into shape.

Before each practice, one of the coaches tells a story about someone who has been diagnosed with a blood cancer. I can’t help but feel incredibly humbled and blessed. I have two healthy children, an amazing husband and a very supportive family and friends. I am in a position where I can do something to help a great cause and I’m very excited to begin my fundraising.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures. Every little bit counts and I greatly appreciate your efforts.

Supporter Comments

"What an awesome idea to use your organization and meal planning skills to help fight the cause. "

Kelly Hardy

Thu Jul 19 09:06:50 EDT 2012

"Thank you for the wonderful menu and Congrats on reaching your goal!"

The Crews Family

Mon Jun 04 01:02:39 EDT 2012

"Way to go, Melanie! Team In Training /
LLS is very important to our family.
Thank you for fundraising for such a
great cause; now it's time to go rock the
race!!
Kristy and Alberto"

Kristy and Alberto

Fri May 11 02:35:49 EDT 2012

"Good luck on your run! Thanks for
the meal plan!"

Anonymous

Thu Apr 26 12:52:38 EDT 2012

"Thanks for the great meal plan!"

Christine Cordes

Mon Apr 09 01:34:48 EDT 2012

"Good luck, Melanie!"

Anonymous

Sun Mar 18 11:32:09 EDT 2012

"Good luck girl! I know you will rock
it :) Will be thinking about you on
race day, wish I could be there to
cheer you on at the finish line. I'll
be there in spirit!!"

Stacy Sands

Thu Mar 15 04:09:52 EDT 2012

"I was led to your page by
Modern Parents Messy Kids
blog! I wanted to show you my
appreciation for creating the 6
week menu! You are absolutely
amazing for doing that! Also, I
ran a full marathon in 2009
with TNT and always support
other TNT runners. Good luck
and I'll be praying for you!
Thanks again!"

Colleen Sulewski

Sun Mar 04 02:59:43 EST 2012

"I am so proud of you and inspired by you every day. You are an incredible person. I can't wait to see you cross the finish line of your first marathon!"

Jon Liperi

Fri Mar 02 08:11:19 EST 2012

"Good luck Melanie!"

Chris U (DM)

Mon Feb 13 02:27:08 EST 2012

"Mel-You Rock!"

Anonymous

Thu Mar 01 02:31:51 EST 2012

"Saw the link on the MPMK website.
Keep up the good work!"

Laura Hutchinson

Thu Mar 01 09:07:59 EST 2012

"Thanks for sharing the incredible meal
plan you came up with on Modern
Parents Messy Kids. I can't wait to put it
to use for my family. "

royann anderson

Thu Mar 01 08:24:22 EST 2012

"You are going to do fabulous! Like my mom told me, "It's not just about the race day, but the journey to get there!""

KRISTINE HANNA

Wed Feb 15 02:53:58 EST 2012

"Woot woot! Way to go Melie! Can't wait to hear about the big race. "

Jessie Brown

Mon Feb 13 04:18:50 EST 2012

My Fundraising Total

Raised: $2,015.00 | Goal: $1,700.00

119
%

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